Text.Duchesne.1603-01.!!1r/Translation
To the illustrious, most distinguished, and magnificent men, Pomponne de Bellièvre, Chancellor of the Kingdom of France, and Nicolas Brûlart, Counselor in the King's sacred archive and chamber, men and patrons most worthy of every reverence, Josephus Quercetanus, royal physician, sends greetings.
Among the writers of ancient times, it was customary, before commencing the harvest of their labors and setting the sickle earnestly to work, first to cut a few sheaves to be dedicated as an offering, so that a priest might determine and proclaim the ripeness of the crops. In imitation of this practice, most eminent lords and most revered patrons, I have resolved to offer one or two ears of grain from my future harvest (which I am preparing) and to willingly submit them to your priestly judgment. I offer them to you together, my best and most esteemed patrons, who are united not only in the greatness of your spirit but also in mutual goodwill.
One of you, most deservedly, for his offices and merits, has been recognized and judged by the most powerful King—indeed, by the foremost among all the kings that the earth bears—to be such and so great that he has appointed him to the highest role in steering the helm and government of this most powerful kingdom. The other, as a most sagacious and prudent man, has been regarded as the King’s second eye in deliberation and decision-making, never to be removed from his sight but always to remain close to His Majesty by his will and command. Since the King himself, the most eminent ruler, has judged so rightly of you, who then would not hold you, placed upon this lofty summit, in admiration and veneration? Who would not, in recognition of your many virtues, the richness of your intellect, and the glory of the deeds you have successfully accomplished—things which are never produced except by noble and truly heroic spirits—love, admire, and revere you?
You, who spare no effort in being of service and assistance to others; you, who are benevolent, gentle, and temperate toward all, yet severe and unwavering toward yourselves; you, who, without arrogance or self-abasement, carry yourselves with dignified humility; who inspire reverence without terror, and fear without tyranny; who, unlike the ambitious, do not seek honors and glory, yet have, albeit unwillingly and with reluctance, attained the greatest honors—so much so that the most august King has entrusted to your prudence, loyalty, and fairness the highest administration of his affairs.
For this reason, the entire royal senate honors and embraces you with affection; the entire populace follows you with their prayers, venerates, and celebrates you. Such are you whom the most high and mighty God has chosen for Himself and endowed with wisdom sufficient to restore and rebuild this kingdom, almost ruined by so many devastating wars. I admit that I speak great things, yet when compared to your deeds and duties, they would seem small; for in attempting to celebrate your most outstanding virtues, I fear that if I do not cease speaking, the weakness of my intellect and the inadequacy of my words may diminish rather than enhance your praises.
Indeed, I acknowledge that it is fitting to esteem and honor those heroes who, after the manner of the Catones and Fabii, are born and live for the public good and for their country, so that there should be no end to the singing of their praises. But since your glory already shines so brightly everywhere, I fear rather that if I attempt to bring it greater light, I may instead cast a shadow upon it. Indeed, your most illustrious glory is already abundantly proclaimed by the peace that has been secured and endures through your efforts and counsel in these times and for this most prosperous kingdom.
How, then, could I not present my ears of grain for judgment to you, my most illustrious patrons and your priestly discernment, before, relying on the hope of a richer harvest, I seize a more suitable and opportune time and occasion for my studies and endeavors? For I trust that I shall indeed produce a more abundant harvest, and that, before long, either time will grant it to me, or I shall grant it to time. But if I were to seek any public recognition of my work, from where should I expect it, if not solely from your judgment, to which I wholly submit? Or, in accordance with Heraclitus, that ancient philosopher, who considered it the highest praise to please even a single person, provided he were the best judge—would not my praise be all the greater if I please and am approved by you both, the best and wisest? But enough of this.
It remains for me to say something about my work. Should I perhaps bring forth a conception that is too premature and immature, unworthy of your protection and advocacy, I nevertheless hope that, in light of your candor, generosity, kindness, gentleness, modesty, and other more than heroic virtues, you will receive it with a serene countenance. And if you should deem it worthy even of the honor of reading, you may perhaps recognize in it more mature fruits than I myself expect. In this endeavor of mine, I have strained and exerted all my strength and faculties to such an extent that I have meticulously and with great effort sought out everything belonging to both branches of medicine, which are now cultivated by many and highly esteemed for their usefulness—the one derived from the Hippocratic school, the other from the Trismegistic. Nor have I failed to unearth and extract whatever hidden knowledge could be discovered in the innermost recesses of both. But whether I have accomplished anything of worth and contributed to the benefit of our republic—that is for you, not for me, to judge.
Yet I dare to affirm that I have selected the finest flowers of both schools, so that, by arranging them into a garland, you may, if I am not mistaken, be delighted by the pleasant fragrance they exude. For in this small garland, besides the Hippocratic doctrines, which have long been accessible and familiar to all, I have here renewed and presented what, in my judgment, is a far more solid, safer, and more effective philosophy for action—the Hermetic philosophy, which introduces the most delightful and agreeable taste and sensation.
Nevertheless, I am aware of how risky the undertaking I have embarked upon is, in that I will appear to many to be introducing something new. I therefore foresee that I shall have to endure many attacks from those who, out of ignorance, dare to rail against me, falsely accusing Hermetic medicine of being a novelty. But I hope that my safest defense will be that whatever is dedicated to your authority shall be securely protected from all harm.
Receive, then, from your most devoted client, most eminent men and most faithful defenders and preservers of public health, this small gift of mine. And remember always your Quercetanus. I wish you the greatest happiness and bid you farewell.
